New Jersey relocation guide
Moving to Montclair, NJ
About Montclair
Montclair is a township of roughly 40,000 in northeastern Essex County, famous for its arts scene, restaurant row, historic homes and six NJ Transit rail stations. Bloomfield Avenue is the main commercial spine, running from downtown through the Upper Montclair village center. The township hosts the Montclair Art Museum, the Wellmont Theater, and Montclair State University (whose campus straddles Montclair, Little Falls, and Clifton). Walkable and architecturally varied — from Victorians to mid-century — it is one of Essex County's most sought-after addresses.
Home prices in Montclair
Home prices in Montclair vary by neighborhood and property type.
Top places in Montclair
- Montclair Art Museum — major museum of American and Native American art (shown in the Commons photo below).
- Wellmont Theater — historic live-music and performance venue on Bloomfield Avenue.
- Van Vleck House & Gardens — 5.8-acre public garden estate.
- Presby Memorial Iris Gardens — world-renowned iris collection blooming each May.
- Edgemont Memorial Park — central park with pond and concerts.
- Downtown Montclair / Bloomfield Avenue — restaurants, shops, and the art-house cinema (Bloomfield Avenue shown in the Commons photo below).
- Upper Montclair village — the northern business district (street shown in the Commons photo below).
- Brookdale Park — Essex County park on Montclair's western edge (shown in the Commons photo below).
Commuting from Montclair
- NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton Line; six in-town stations (Montclair Heights, Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair, Watchung Avenue, Walnut Street, Bay Street), with service to NY Penn Station of roughly 35–50 minutes depending on station, train, and stopping pattern (per NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton timetable, effective May 31, 2026; read September 24, 2026).
- NJ Transit buses also connect Montclair to Port Authority.
- Approximate drive to Midtown Manhattan: 25–35 minutes without traffic.
Schools in Montclair
Public schools: Montclair Public Schools. For enrollment and performance data, see the state report card in Town links below. Confirm school assignment for any address directly with the district.
Montclair FAQs
- What is the housing market like in Montclair, NJ?
Home prices in Montclair vary by neighborhood and property type. - How is the commute from Montclair, NJ?
NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton Line; six in-town stations (Montclair Heights, Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair, Watchung Avenue, Walnut Street, Bay Street), with service to NY Penn Station of roughly 35–50 minutes depending on station, train, and stopping pattern (per NJ Transit Montclair–Boonton timetable, effective May 31, 2026; read September 24, 2026). - Which school district serves Montclair, NJ?
Montclair is served by Montclair Public Schools. See the state report card in Town links, and confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
Town links
Schools
Transit
Official town resources. School report cards via the New Jersey Department of Education.